16 Thoughtful Items to Include in a Nurse Gift Basket
If your loved one is among the 5.2 million registered nurses in the US, they're likely in need of some TLC. A nurse gift basket is the perfect way to show support and put a smile on their face.
To create a top-notch arrangement, you'll need to carefully select gifts with a personal touch. Here, we're going to give you some ideas for what to include in gift baskets for nurses. Read on to learn how you can show your appreciation for everything that healthcare workers do.
1. Appreciative Flowers
Flowers are a classic gift used to show appreciation. They're beautiful, aromatic, and easy to display. Because they're readily accessible and affordable, they're the perfect pop of color to add to any gift basket.
Yellow roses are perfect for the healthcare workers in your life because they represent friendship in the language of flowers. They're an awesome way to send the message that you care and are ready to offer support.
Pink hydrangeas are also ideal because they symbolize appreciation, especially to those helping others in difficult times. That's what nurses do every day, so it's a thoughtful gesture that shows you put thought into your present.
2. Tailor-Made Tote Bags
Tote bags aren't just a fun accessory. They're also a functional item for nurses who carry around first aid supplies regularly. The best totes also have a mesh cup holder on the side so that a healthcare hero can stay hydrated.
You can also customize tote bags when you order them from MacAttack. In addition to selecting a color, you also can choose a design to print on the front of the bag. These designs showcase images of stethoscopes twisted into heart shapes, red cross symbols, and children's feet within heart symbols for nurses in delivery rooms.
You can customize each of these designs to include the name and title of the nurse that you're showing appreciation for.
3. Custom Tumblers
Metal tumblers are essential for nurses who want to stay hydrated. They're large enough to hold a lot of liquid, which means that essential workers will always have a beverage with them on the go. They won't need to carve out time to refill small bottles or purchase drinks from vending machines.
Laser-engraved metal tumblers come in a wide variety of colors. The designs are diverse, and you can even get those with nursing-related sayings on them. A Nurse's Prayer tumbler is great for those who find peace in religion, but tumblers that say things like "Gansta Nurse" are great for humor-minded healthcare workers.
These tumblers all are temperature-regulated. Water or iced tea will stay cold all day while hot coffee will still be piping and delicious at lunchtime.
4. Skinny Tumblers
If you're looking for a cup that fits in the side of a tote bag, skinny tumblers may be the right choice. They don't have the girth of big metal tumblers and won't hold as much of a drink. Still, they're more portable.
This makes them ideal for homecare nurses who are constantly moving around. They're also great for those working in emergency units who need to frequently move from room to room.
You can get skinny tumblers with motivational slogans on them. These nurse affirmations will remind your loved one of the power they hold and the good that they're doing. It will also remind them that it's okay to engage in self-care because they do such amazing work.
5. Personalized Mugs
If your loved one's a nurse who always needs their morning cup of joe to start the day right, a simple mug might be the perfect idea for nursing gift baskets. These mugs aren't just beautiful - they're easy to customize, too.
This is true beyond slogans like "she believed she could, so she did" and floral stethoscope images. The side of the mug opposite the slogan has a cartoon image of a nurse walking. This picture can be completely personalized so the skin tone, hair color, hairstyle, and even scrub color look just like the recipient.
Plus, since you can add the nurse's name to the bottom of the image, there will be no confusion about what hero you're honoring.
6. Tasty Teas
You're going to want to give the person getting your DIY nurse gift basket something to put in their mug or tumbler. Delicious tea varieties are awesome for this. There's a tea for every time of the day.
Black teas are awesome for mornings or whenever a 24-hour nurse might need a boost. Green teas are great for boosting health in the afternoon. Chamomile and herbal options can help healthcare workers wind down after being on-call so they get the rest they need to thrive.
7. Coffee Beans
If your favorite nurse is more of a coffee drinker, you can easily get them delicious beans in place of looseleaf tea. In fact, this is an especially great way to show nurses with night shifts that you put a lot of thought into their gift basket. They need to constantly adjust their sleep schedule to accommodate patients and workplace obligations.
Consider getting them a package of their favorite coffee beans if you know what they prefer. If not, get them sample-size bags of beans from various parts of the world. The nurse that you're giving some TLC to is sure to figure out what they love when given tons of options.
With that information, you can give them even better-tailored nursing gift baskets in the future!
8. Sweets and Snack Foods
Everyone loves to eat, and delicious snack foods are always essential additions to any gift basket. Cookies are always a great idea since there are tons of flavors to choose from. Chips are also great for those who love salty snacks.
Try to include a nice mixture of different flavors in your basket. Intersperse them with larger gift items. You can't go wrong when you give anyone something to munch on during their breaks or after working hours.
9. Cozy Blankets
Comfortable blankets are another great way to help nurses rest and relax in their off hours. There are several customizable options available, including those with embroidery personalization.
Our Sherpa-lined blankets can come with small designs on the bottom that include an embroidered version of the recipient's name. This is ideal for those who want to give their gift basket an individualized feel.
If you want a more durable and detailed design, you also may be interested in a blanket with a laser-engraved leatherette patch in the corner. These can also be personalized with name and title, and there's a diverse range of possibilities. Blankets can come in solid colors or plaid depending on your personal taste.
10. Comforting Candles
Blankets are great for encouraging relaxation, but adding candles to your basket can boost its calming vibe even further. Scented candles are an impactful way to reduce stress and boost mental health. They also have the capacity to alleviate anxiety, which is essential for those in high-pressure jobs like nursing.
Jasmine is a great scent to try if you want to give the recipient positive feelings and make them feel more energetic. Citrus has a similar effect and can lift people's spirits a lot. If they're having trouble getting on a difficult sleep schedule and need to make themselves more alert and focused, minty scents like peppermint and spearmint can improve memory.
11. Compression Socks
Nurses spend a lot of time on their feet, which can cause them to become sore or fall asleep. Compression socks help to keep blood flowing evenly through their legs even when they have to stand for several hours on end.
Compression socks may not be the most high-end and stylish gift imaginable, but they make a great practical addition to any gift basket. They're functional and can help to alleviate a lot of discomfort on the job, so they're always appreciated.
12. Brand-New Scrubs
If you're looking for functional nurse gift basket ideas for things they can use on the job, a fresh set of scrubs might be the right choice. Contrary to popular belief, there are many different scrub styles that nurses can choose from for daily wear.
If you want to show a nurse that you care about their comfort, a v-neck top made from premium materials is the way to keep them cozy in soft scrubs. There are options available for both male and female nurses, so you'll find something for any recipient.
You can also choose from drawstring scrub jogger pants and cargo pants. A full set is an inexpensive and useful addition to any basket, and it shows that you value the good work that nurses do.
13. Vests for Nurses
Some nurses also enjoy wearing stylish vests over their scrubs. These vests come in several different materials like fleece, heathered cotton, and quilted mesh.
Since you can purchase them with custom designs that include their name and title, you're giving the recipient of your DIY nurse gift basket a way to feel individualistic while at work. On a practical level, this gift will help patients and other hospital staff members remember their name. Communication will be easier in the high-stakes, high-stress hospital environment.
14. Sweaters and Sweatshirts
If you want to add something warm and comfortable to your nurse gift basket, you can't go wrong with a fleece sweater or sweatshirt. These are ideal for those who want to showcase their pride in nursing on casual outings while not on call.
You can purchase high-quality fleeces in various customizable styles. Better yet, these sweaters are made by renowned brands like The North Face and Port Authority. There are several colors to choose from, so you can select something that your recipient will love wearing after hours.
There are even combo packages that pair heathered Charles River fleece sweaters with tote bags. You create one design that's displayed on both items. This is quick for you and ensures that all the items in your gift basket will match perfectly.
15. Terrific Tees
T-shirts are another great casual apparel option for top-notch presents. There are tons of fun casual styles available that can serve as conversation-starters for your loved one in health care. Slogans like "registered nurse" and "nurse life" let them showcase their pride in their profession.
Many tees also feature printed designs in several different colors. Our Bella Canvas pink tee adds a fun pop of color to the "registered nurse" statement, and our "Love Inspire Heal" shirt has multiple hues in the design's text.
You'll be able to select something that perfectly matches the recipient's day-to-day style.
16. Thoughtful Cards
Regardless of the other items in your basket, a nice hand-selected card should always be included front and center.
Cards let you express your feelings in ways that gifts can't. They give you the chance to tell your loved one how much you appreciate them and the work that they do as a nurse. You'll be able to tell them how important and essential they are to the community and let them know how noble they are to spend their time saving lives.
You also can get creative with handmade cards. Not everything needs to be purchased at a Hallmark shop.
Draw your own photos or print collages for the front of the card. Experiment with word art. It'll add a personal touch to your gift basket that shows how much you care.
Create a Great Nurse Gift Basket
Healthcare workers are the backbone of our society. They ensure that everyone remains safe and healthy so we can all make the most of life. Now that you have some nurse gift basket ideas to show your appreciation, it's time to get started.
MacAttack Gear is committed to offering customizable gifts for healthcare heroes. We have dozens of apparel and accessory items that you can choose from so your DIY basket is perfect and personal. Contact us with any lingering questions you have and to get help choosing the best gifts for nurses out there.